Tsuki ga Michibiku Translations

Chapter 162: The conclusion outside the castle

Noo! Re:zero is gone! Best anime of the year has now concluded T^T, now I know what I will be binge reading in my boring flight.

On another note, anyone that wants to volunteer, please send the email to reigokai@gmail.com. And please put something that can proof your translating skills. Can’t go randomly letting my important child in anyone’s care, right?

(Tch)

Shiki made a heartfelt click of tongue because, even if this was within anticipation, it was still heading at a considerably bad direction.

The true swords that Lancer was creating improvised, were already calculated by Shiki.

It depended on the situation of the surroundings, but he has already inputted the fact that Lancer’s fighting potential increases at random.

But that performance was quite high.

The real body itself has skills that Shiki had to revise his own evaluation quite a bit.

The reason was easy to understand.

Because in this capital, there’s the elite army that Io led, and the adventurers that came from Tsige.

As if each sword held a will of its own, Shiki was unable to differentiate between which sword was attacking him.

But still, among those, there are times when a sword made from a hero as material was mixed in the group, and its power surpassed that of the rest. Shiki was suffering.

From an outside perspective, it looked like Shiki was at an overwhelming advantage.

Even Lancer who was holding his ground, has fallen in shock at this situation and has already lost his composure.

Just as Shiki planned.

But the truth is different.

Shiki had already controlled the flow of the battle and taken the initiative, not showing a single restraint and charging forward.

To the point that the saying: ‘No need to think of later’, was quite fitting.

That’s why it looked like the fight was overwhelming.

(Even so, I won’t let it even smell like a hard fight and kill him. This Mitsurugi alone, as long as I have named myself as the servant of Waka-sama, I can’t show an unsightly performance) (Shiki)

The difference in ability between Shiki and Lancer wasn’t that much.

If Lancer was a simple superior dragon, that is.

He offsetted the darkness that Shiki emitted, spouted out quite the powerful flames, weakened the effect of the poisons that he was afflicted with, and at times even completely neutralizing them, Lancer was, frankly speaking, too much of an opponent for Shiki.

In terms of instantaneous fighting power, Shiki would be able to rival him.

But even with this, it wasn’t an advantage that can win him the fight.

Because he would only be lining up by doing his maximum in an instant after all.

Truly an all out.

Lancer’s sword and spells, his special tactics; Shiki was shutting them out with the countermeasures he had thought out in advance.

At times increasing his power to the very limits at the last moment, he dealt with it without showing any agitation.

Attacks with crazy might that would certainly turn the flow of the battle, were being deflected in the midst of this sword dance with a nonchalant face.

The blaze that came out from Lancer’s mouth was a high density flame that Shiki didn’t expect as a threat, but even so, he immediately coped with it.

An attack that even if it hit, it would still be possible to continue battle, but he didn’t even let those kind of attacks go through.

Shiki did all that and had overwhelmed Lancer in all senses.

This wasn’t a feat that could be done unless you habitually fight with opponents stronger than yourself.

Shiki has evaluated his master Makoto as stronger than Lancer.

It is true that Lancer has grown slightly stronger since the time he battled with Makoto.

Because with the varied fighting methods and judgment Shiki has, he would be able to fight in quite the advantage against opponents with the same ability.

However, with the current Lancer that has the power of other superior dragons like Sofia, the story is different.

As a result, the words of Makoto were off, but because of Shiki’s fine play, in terms of result, this situation is the most favorable.

In other words…

It would be one thing if it were within expectations, but Shiki has to finish this before something out of expectations happens, or he won’t have any chance of winning.

The poison of Ascalon is slowly eating into the body of Lancer.

It must have surpassed his healing and curing powers.

A part of his right hand has turned into stone, and there were spots in his body that were visibly dark red.

He was certainly cornering Lancer.

(Please don’t notice. Just like this, die!!) (Shiki)

It is simple luck that Lancer has still not noticed yet. Shiki understood this.

“It would be one thing if it were the Devil itself, but for his mere servant!!” (Lancer)

Lancer was also desperate.

The number of swords was innumerable, and aside from swinging, there were also others who were used simply as piercing projectile weapons.

His ability to control all of those at once is also plenty monstrous.

Shiki’s sword clashes with Lancer’s.

Shiki’s spells clashes with Lancer’s spells.

They respectively clashed.

Sword and spell.

In a few, Shiki had an edge.

That’s why the equilibrium broke, and the one who ended up wounded was Lancer.

Even in swordsmanship, Lancer was also the one being crushed.

The battle was slowly drawing to a conclusion.

“Ooooh!!”

Gu–gin!

A horizontal slash. What Ascalon caught was not the abdomen, but the leg.

It cut off the leg of Lancer that was jumping.

Shiki was going to decide the battle here, but because of the voice that came from the back, he stopped his charge.

He must have read wrong, is what Shiki thought for a moment.

Slowly turning…

“No well, it seems that wasn’t the case. Looks like luck is still on my side” (Shiki)

It was a matter of chance.

‘If Lancer were to notice it’, that kind of probability.

Shiki won the gamble.

A male stretched his arm and moved his mouth to tell something to Shiki.

The adventurer of Tsige.

He probably was an acquaintance of Tomoe and Mio at some point, but for Shiki, it was the first time meeting him.

However, there was too much distance.

The words that were his testament were unable to reach Shiki.

His body was pierced by the light swords.

The barrier was destroyed.

And maybe she was pushed away, the Lorel Priestess Chiya was on the ground.

(He covered for her huh. I appreciate it, adventurer. If that girl or the hero were to turn into swords, I would have lost) (Shiki)

The new barrier that Chiya created, Shiki disguised it so it looked as if he himself had created that barrier.

He made it look like the barrier that has been repelling all the light swords of Lancer.

In truth, the barrier that Chiya spread didn’t have the defensive power to continuously block the light swords.

If the attacks were to concentrate, it wouldn’t even last for one minute before being destroyed.

If it is from a physical sword, it might even break in one attack.

But if it’s something Shiki has spread, it would be a different story.

And in truth, it has been able to block the attack of 3 physical swords at the same time.

After showing this to Lancer, Shiki dissolved the barrier he made.

Against Lancer, he had no leeway to create a firm barrier that is not for his use.

He cut one of his cards to grab the attention of Lancer and made it seem as if the barrier Chiya created was the same as the ones he has been creating until now.

It was a trivial thing similar to an amulet, but it seems like Hibiki and the others understood its meaning, they didn’t make any mention of it and were somehow able to properly convey the plan of Shiki.

After that, Lancer’s physical swords were practically all gathered towards Shiki, and a situation where Hibiki and the others were attacked and become the power of Lancer, was avoided.

The hero and the priestess.

For Shiki, these two turning into swords would be the worst scenario.

He doesn’t know how much power that would give Lancer.

Moreover, one of them was left in his hands by Makoto, so it is a scenario that must be avoided at any cost.

From what Shiki has seen of Hibiki, she is not a girl that would be so easily defeated, but when he actually heard her scream, he felt insecure of this.

Luck is at my side, is what Shiki confirms as the safety of the hero and the priestess were reflected in his eyes.

At the same time, he once again felt the strong need to decide the battle this moment.

“Tch!! I missed! But with this guy I will!!” (Lancer)

Lancer didn’t show even a single shred of remorse at the fact that he tried to assassinate a young girl.

It seems like he lost his ability to regenerate his leg, he was using a sword as substitute for a cane.

The adventurer was wrapped in light and was taken in by the swords. As he himself turned into a new sword, it turned and flies at high speed towards Shiki.

From Lancer’s back, several tens of swords float and turn towards Shiki.

“… Servant of the Devil, those words… should I take those words in literal meaning?” (Hibiki)

“So you heard what Lancer said. Forget those words” (Shiki)

“Don’t ask for the impossible” (Hibiki)

“In this terrible scene, even if few in numbers, there are voices asking for help. Residents that evacuated, that are holding uneasiness. Instead of being concerned about me, you should have many other things to do, right?” (Shiki)

(Kugh, as expected, I have used the rings a bit too much huh. That damn Lancer, he really did give me a hard time. With this, even if I return to Waka-sama, I would only serve as an hindrance. I have to rest for a bit) (Shiki)

“This time you won’t stop us?” (Hibiki)

“I won’t help you either though” (Shiki)

In this situation, the only thing that could be a threat for Hibiki would be Sofia, is how Shiki thinks.

And his master Misumi Makoto is there.

At this terrible scene of the capital that has made both armies unable to continue battle because of the rain of light swords, and on top of that, Lancer and Shiki fought; no matter if it’s to find any survivors or to escape, there would be no one who would blame Hibiki, is what Shiki has concluded.

“This is something Bredda said as well but, I will definitely give my gratitude in the future” (Hibiki)

“Fumu. Then, I will be keeping that in mind” (Shiki)

“Hibiki, first let’s find a place for Wudi to rest. At the outside of the town, there’s already several camps being set. That place should work” (Bredda)

Bredda shoulders Wudi.

Hibiki glanced at Shiki once, but without turning back a second time, she left running.

(The last words of the man that was turned into a sword. And the previous words of him when he said ‘that person resembles those people’. It feels like it associates with Tsige. Also, the swordsmanship of the devil’s servant named Larva, the sword was different, but his style was similar to my sensei. To a level that I can’t think of it as a coincidence. Also, the devil, that white person wearing a special effect hero suit. There’s a high chance that Larva and the Devil have some sort of connection with an otherworlder. Tsige, otherworlder, and that abnormal strength. Maybe… Kuzunoha Company is related to this? Then is that white guy, Raidou? But Mio-san was not there. The other close aide called Tomoe-san was not there either. A name like Kuzunoha only exists in Lorel so, it slightly bothers me… I don’t think that it is completely unrelated though) (Hibiki)

maybe he used an illusion magic cause he wished that something wont get noticed, so maybe he used illusion magic since he also explained about the priest making a barrier and made lancer think shiki made that barrier instead.

You can also think of it as him simply jumping out of his armor. After all, his true form since his binding to Makoto is Hyuman. So he just removed whatever he was doing to make the lich form, teleport behind him, whack.

Yes, exactly this. Everyone misunderstood that Shiki can return to having the body of a Lich. But he can’t. That’s just a cosmetic cover to his fleshy, real, body. So, Larva-Form probably wears a black cloak not for fashion, but to cover his core body, and make people think he’s still pure-undead, while riding around inside like a mecha pilot. …Probably.

It’s like Iron Man shedding his suit. Except in this analogy, he’s wearing a slightly less powerful suit underneath as Shiki is still incredibly dangerous without his bone form.

Shiki is the type that loves being needlessly secret, I suppose. That may be why he didn’t tell anyone the truth about his “Battle Form.”

Dang, White fox really did a good job trolling us! (i still miss that they didn’t show some things a few chaps ago [saying it wouldn’t be a spoiler, but still i won’t say]. But this ending was a good bait)
Anyway, thanks for the chapter as always! I love this series

rest in pieces Lancer, lucky you, getting killed by a nice Lich, not the weeaboo samurai wannabe Dragon or Trans Dragon …
And i’m pretty sure Rena wishes that Matoko killed her at the throne room right now when the news about Asora sudden attack reach her

Given the Shiki only won because he Had all the information bonuses stacked in his favor and even then he had to rush the conclusion with wit and guile, then against Tomoe he would almost certainly lose.

Lancer knew nothing of Shiki’s abilities or powers and could be fooled, but Tomoe wouldn’t be that I’ll-prepared. As is, if the Lancer fight had drawn out, then Shiki may have actually lost if he hadn’t pulled off that substitution technique.

Hmm… I wonder if anything will happen to Sophia’s sword now that Lancer is dead.

They proably had a contract of equals with each other as both can use Dragon and hyuman Form so when One dies the other will absorb the Power compelty the Drama demands that Sophia gets a unfair powerup but lets see

Rank 1 Mio
Ran 2 Tomoe
( Mio and Tomoe never fought 4 real and this rank is only base on Level so it didn’t really specify who’s
stronger)
Rank 3 Komoe
Rank 4 Shiki
(This two also never fought with each other and shiki also can keep up with the other rank 1 and rank 2 even thought he was beaten up but komoe only fight with Mio and which can keep his ground but not 2 person tht have similar or almost has the same strength as her)

PS : Usually it would be Komoe who should have won, however, Komoe Little Superior Dragon(Tomoe Imouto because he is part of Tomoe) and Shiki ( receving power from Makoto after the pact that boost up his strength from mere lich(maybe) to lord lich strength(perhaps) can be almost the same level but got its own strength and can keep up with either rank 1 or rank 2, but if it’s rank 1 and rank 2 vs rank 3 or rank 1 and rank 2 vs rank 4 both rank 3 and rank 4 would have been beaten up, thts why i’m saying it like this ..

This is truly unexpected, hurrAy. Thanks for the chapter. Bad ass shiki. Hibiki is starting to connect the dots but I think we have to wait a little longer before they meet personaly. I think shiki will ask favor to them in return is not to mention makoto white ranger transformation, that will be makoto’s dark history. Thanks for the chapter.

Just thinking what if it were the regular release schedules made my head hurt at how the previous chapters were delivered by the Authour. It’s composition was dragged too long. Well, it was mainly about Root’s chapter though. Which could just very well be just made as a ‘Side-chapter’ or diff PoV. Well, wtv.

Wait, what’s the difference between Shiki verbally breaking down Lancer and Makoto talking down the generals and Sofia a few chapters ago?

This was a dangerously close fight for Shiki and it’s completely unpractical to say anything frivolous here. Makoto, on the other hand, actually wanted to avoid killing Io, had something of a grudge against Sofia/Rona, a big payoff after ages of being looked down on, and he had plenty of leeway in terms of their power gap to stop and try to talk them down with no risk to himself.

Why is this fight the one you want the MC side to talk about stuff in?

“Why is this fight the one you want the MC side to talk about stuff in?” Because it lets the reader know the fight is clearly over and sets the stage for what comes next. Kinda like how every essay has a Conclusion. For that reason, it’s extremely common in shonen fighting manga.

“Use exposition to share information and facts. Use it to fill in gaps. Use it slow or stop the forward motion of a scene.”

“Use it sparingly because it does actually stop that forward motion. And use only a little at a time. Readers come to story for the events involving the characters, not a recitation of facts that sounds like a bad Wikipedia article.”

Most action scene start and end with dialogue for exactly this reason, it’s the calm before the storm, the deep breath before jumping out of the plane. It’s also why excessive and plain dialogue is to be avoided in action scenes.

I guessed right! Shiki was weaker than Lancer😀.
Though, based off these new chapters I need to move Demon Generals up to 11. and I guess also 1 more and everyone else 9 and below now that lancer is dead,

Well, with the Nuke magic hes probably stronger now. I made that list before that chapter. but I always felt she took the job more seriously and trained harder. He relied on his immortality and eyes. An Asora’s forces were trained by Tomoe! Though… with how strong the Goro-wannabe was portrayed… yeah they might be stronger. The way they were portrayed when they battled the heroes the first time, I felt like they were just a bit stronger than the average demon. Seems not to be the case now. Thou I’m sure if Tomoe or Mio fights a general they will give us a chapter long speech comparing the generals power to their personal trained minions power…

Tomoki initially had higher levels than Hibiki, but now it’s likely Hibiki is more powerful than Tomoki after her powerup. But then again, it’s insinuated that Tomoki also had a powerup from the same entity, so who knows?

Residents of Asora have Plot Armour, enemy mooks have no chance, even elite officers. Sure, a few token nobodies might die, but the outcome is hardly in doubt. If the folks of Asora actually suffered a crushing defeat that forced them to re-evaluate their tactics and objectives, I’d be pleasantly surprised.

I don’t know… THis story is lacking in potential true rivals for Matoko, I think the demon lord needs to have some decent power, or that means there are no other potential threats left. (or the demon lord is actual a chick and gets roped into our MC’s harem)

Root and Goddess use the world as a playground and value it as such. Brogami is the only power that actually feels a sense of duty and cares about keeping the spirit as well as the letter of his promises.

PS: Having a third party flat-out telling us that the outworlders are going to be more powerful than anyone else and just handing out “Asspull power-ups” was a bad idea on the part of the author.

Why is Shiki lower than Lancer? By specs and ability, Shiki is higher. Shiki on the other is having trouble was because Lancer is using his ability to turn other people in the battle field into swords and also Shiki is worried that Hibiki and Chiya might turn into swords. But in a pure 1v1 fight with no people around, Shiki would definately overwhelm Lancer.

As for the Maou, I bet its a loli or a shota. Why else do you think Io and Rona would go through such lengths?

Well if you get rid of the weapons made from all the bodies, you would have to get rid of Shiki’s Prep time and knowledge he got from Root. extra swords(bodies) = Preptime and Root info, in my opinion… Also not including the Rings that Shiki are using are made from Waka/Raidou’s filled Mana rings… Shiki is using tons of outside resources to fight evenly with Lancer while faking composure. Then using a 1 time use Trump card (teleporting) and a NOW DEAD adventurer that distracted Lancer and sealed the deal for Shiki…… So Shiki is like Batman, with prep he can defeat people more powerful than him. 1v1 no prep or specialized equipment and Shiki would lose

yeah, that list is in terms of raw power. Shiki is using tools and pre-thought-out counter measures. It even says how Shiki was worried about lancer figuring out he is stronger and pressing the attack. Shiki only won because of tactics. Lancer (was) the stronger fighter, Shiki is the smarter fighter.

Shiki is a main character, Lancer is a scumbag. Plot Armor vs. Death Flag. Also, the entire Academy arc was to demonstrate that power alone isn’t sufficient to win. This fight is the same thing, only on a higher power level.

Shiki does so much work!
He deserved this opportunity. Anyone wanna bet Mio’s gonna be mad that she lost the ‘best trophy’ game? No way a Demon General could compare with a ‘Guy who hurt Waka’
And I’ll bet Sofia will notice that loss soon too.

Reigokai-san… Are you on Super Saiyan mode with steroids on right now?!
If you said yes then i can understand that you can do this much translation…
But if you said no, then i can only think i am dreaming about future releases

Lancer dieing that a joke right ? Assholes cant die after all lol. But woot hibiki chan got brains and was able to guess they are related but didnt the claymore mine kinda give it away that he is from japan.

so fast for the upload that the comment section is reaching at the same speed monsieur….
Very thankful for a satisfying chapter
At give a time o relax on time since this novel felt like a drug to me…..Addddddiccctingggg!!

Haven’t read ahead but after reading about Sofia’s new shadow powet I was like. Oh so now taxi lancer is pretty useless since his main point has been negated (kinda) I knew he would die soon.

So my guess is now Sofia is gonna be all cry cry cry how did I become so weak, I was even charmed, You have to take responsibility. With Makoto being mostly weak vs bossy people he’ll go “sure why not”. I do however wish he would go all YOU DIE! YOU GO TO HELL AND YOU DIE!!!

You guys forgot why Shiki called Larva in the first place, he can possess another person body or things without the person possessed or other peoples know he is there. He discard the skeleton body in the last moment as decoy, he is hiding inside that skeleton using a core and then control the body like a mecha armor. And Shiki also have rings full of Makoto’s mana as his battery for spells.

Woah, give Hibiki her cookie, she nailed it. Is so refreshing the way the author protrays Shiki figths and makes ot a close one when everyone seeing it think diferently. You are rigth Regokai sensei you can’t let any bastard take away your baby and mess it up. But I have seen a couple of people interested.

Im kinda liking how the story is being planned out right now. So since Makoto isnt planning to ykno take off his facade and meet the senpai properly, she’ll be taking the initiative of meeting her kouhai. But lets see, if Makoto talks to Mio and Tomoe about Hibiki, maybe Mio wont treat Hibiki like a companion no more because in previous chapters she seemed disgusted by the mere fact that the “Hibiki” she knows could be the hero and that she is more suited to be a chef. So even if Hibiki is to go to Tsige and visit the Kuzunoha store over there maybe she’ll get cockblocked again lol who knows. I just wonder how long we’ll be waiting for a proper reunion between the two or more like the reaction of Hibiki kek

First mind Thank you Kai- sama the chapter was a great meal,
According to that no one comment on something I am in doubt if lancer died Sofia loses its pact with the powers lacer ?
If this happens I’m very sorry for her.

This chapter has prove the Bikini hero has some brain she worth for the name of hero.
That i wonder from the start till this chapter.
Had she wearing her dress properly yet ? Or she just running around the town by Naked.

haha and thx u for daily release that make me think you has transform to something like go
I have to pray for your holy power hahaha

Thanks for the hard work in translating reikogai-dono.
4 days left before you’re going hiatus huh. Will it be 1 chap a day before this 23rd sept or a chap in 2 days or so… Well, whatsoever, we love you for your hard work.
Thank you too for azumi kei-sensei for the novel.
ありがとう ございます

Have you tried asking one of the translator superpowers or experts to uhh andle it? Since its just 2 months and its not like they’d have to do alot like 1 a day. 1 a week is fine with me. Btw i here setsuna86 is looking for something to do.

Hibiki is scary. Really scary. She’s very keen. With just a few clues, she’s able to make conclusion that is close to the truth. I wonder what will she do when she finally found out that Raidou is her kouhai?

Great fight and even greater finishing move there, Shiki!
And, as DS has taught me, backstabs from a Claymore freaking hurts!
Now about Hibiki… Will she finally expose Makoto and then maybe join him? (and maybe even join his harem??)

Sofia will be really broken down by the end of the battle if she’s not killed. She lost her companion Leo, she’s been abandoned by her allies, She tried to emotionally harm Makoto and ending up eating shit for it.

Sofia seemed charmed. I thought it was weird that she was super-gentle to him and his companions when Leo said earlier they usually kill without hesitation. Looks like her resistance wasn’t tough enough. It’s almost pathetic how dearly she’s holding onto these artificial feelings of love… even knowing they’re fake, that tomoki is scum, that he would only use her as a pawn/harem girl (#6?), she’s ok with these warm-fuzzy feelings because she likely deluded herself into thinking something more would come of it. When Makoto crushed them, it really, really emotionally broke her.

I assumed Sofia’s place in the harem was confirmed when she put makoto’s head between her boobs and flew into the sky. Seems like the author’s pushing her to be Tomoki’s harem-mate since she’ll probably hate makoto with a passion. It really is all her fault, she brought this hell onto herself. I’m guessing she’ll know this, but still end up blaming makoto anyway.

Also, what is Hibiki’s power now? How would it work on Raido for instance?

I read the chapters at my college, then I drove home from college to get to my computer, then I played some games and read a little manga, then recalled the recent chapters before posting my comment. Lancer is a pretty forgettable character to me.

I assume you’re talking about Hibiki unlocking her “black rank” inner power, in which case it seems to just be a general stat boost. We don’t know how much power she’ll get from it, but it’s safe to assume it won’t have much bearing on Makoto himself.

Hibiki does have some sort of charisma trait, but I’m not sure how much that’s a skill so much a heroic character trait.

to be honest i wanted sofia in the harem, even more after she said that she will give herself if you beat her (or something like that) and i tough makoto wins and she is in, but after lancer`s death i can see her coming out alive from this, also i think sofia got mad not because she treauseres her feelings for tomoki, but for the fact that she got charmed and makoto had the leeway to offer to dispel the charm, i think she got mad after her pride got hurt or something like that, but that just the way i understood it xD, if she had real feelings for tomoki ill get really desapointed at her.

That might be a better interpretation considering, what I based much of it on was when he said “you don’t have the heart to [dispel] it yourself…” I recall reading it but could be wrong…. So I assumed she came to treasure those feelings makoto dumped on.

She didn’t seem to get progressively angry when he was having a casual conversation with Rona so I assumed she was deeply emotionally hurt when she realized her blooming feelings were false.

after i read your comment i got curious so i went to the chapter, i think you might have misinterpreted when you read the chapter as there is no “you don’t have the heart to [dispel] it yourself…” line in the chapter, what it actually says it goes as follows:
“And it seems like it is already something you can’t do by yourself after all. Even if you wait, it won’t turn into an advantageous development for you, you know?” (Makoto)
but still im not sure if she was actually defending her feelings for tomoki or getting irritated at makoto`s actitud that thought so little of his fight with her that he even offered to help her solve the problem that came from her blunder.

Hmm… maybe when he said that he meant she doesn’t have a dispel strong enough to remove it. Good point, I’m really not sure whether my initial interpretation was correct or this one. I mean she can remove radiation and beat down tomoki with only 5% of her strength so I thought it wouldn’t be hard for her to dispel that charm.

A bit out of nowhere, but in order of how much you folks personally like them or want to see more of them, how would you rank Makoto’s close allies? I’m mostly talking about the Asora crowd(Sorry Rembrant, Eva, and Jin.) with Tomoe, Mio, Shiki, Ema, the Forest Oni, Zwei etc. It’s unfortunate that we only have the rest as a race.

My personal ranking goes: Shiki, Mio, Ema, Tomoe, the Mist Lizards group, Komoe, the Arkes, Lime, and the named Forest Oni equally. The rest, well…are somewhat in the back of my mind and I’m indifferent

This is based on the abilities they possessed as dragons. It doesn’t consider the boost in abilities Root, Tomoe and Lancer gained from the contracts they’ve made with their respective partners past (in Roots case) or present.

Shiki is a badass too🙂
Remember that Shiki had an ability to possess other peoples so maybe he can still do it. Maybe he creates that lich body with magic and then he possesses it. Then he can just exit from it if he wants.
That lich body is probably also part of his body/powers like the swords Lancer created are part of him or how Tomoe created Komoe from her own body.

Also i think Shiki’s fighting style is similar to Ainz from Overlord. Shiki can enhance his body and he can turn into a warrior with his Sword Emperor Possession but he can still use spells during it. Maybe he literally calls a spirit of a great swordsman to fight and creates a separat consciousness with it. That one moves his body and fights with a sword so he can concentrate on casting spells.
This one reminds me of Shiro’s (from Kumo desu ga) Body-in-charge and other parallel wills she created to help her use spells and fight.